Paloma Pimenta et al.Download PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardAug 6, 20202019004779 (P.T.A.B. Aug. 6, 2020) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 www.uspto.gov APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. 13/997,344 06/24/2013 Paloma Pimenta 9222-00-US-01-OC 7985 23909 7590 08/06/2020 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY 909 RIVER ROAD PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855 EXAMINER CHANG, KYUNG SOOK ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 1613 NOTIFICATION DATE DELIVERY MODE 08/06/2020 ELECTRONIC Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding. The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication. Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the following e-mail address(es): Patent_Mail@colpal.com PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ________________ BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD ________________ Ex parte PALOMA PIMENTA and JASON NESTA1 ________________ Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 Technology Center 1600 ________________ Before ERIC B. GRIMES, JOHN G. NEW, and RYAN H. FLAX, Administrative Patent Judges. NEW, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL 1 We use the term “Appellant” to refer to the “applicant” as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.142. Appellant states that the real party-in-interest is Colgate-Palmolive Company. App. Br. 2. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 2 SUMMARY Appellant files this appeal under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a) from the Examiner’s Final Rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over the combination of Cornelis et al. (WO 95/20971, August 10, 1995) (“Cornelis”) and Stier et al. (US 2003/0091514 A1, May 15, 2003) (“Stier”). Claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 also stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over the combination of Cornelis, Stier, and Shastry et al. (US 2005/0210615 A1, September 29, 2005) (“Shastry”). Claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 further stand rejected as unpatentable under the nonstatutory doctrine of obviousness-type double patenting over claims 1–4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13–15, and 17–25 of co- pending application US Ser. No. 13/997,381 (the “’381 application”)2, and over claims 1, 3–6 and 8–24 of co-pending application US Ser. No. 14/362,908 (the “’908 application”). We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We AFFIRM. 2 Appellant argues that these obviousness-type double patenting rejections are provisional. See App. Br. 12. However, we note that, subsequent to the filing of Appellant’s Brief, the ’381 application issued on October 22, 2019 as US 10,149,139 B2 and the ’908 application issued on July 28, 2020 as US 10,722,446. Consequently, the rejections are no longer provisional. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 3 NATURE OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION Appellant’s invention is directed to oral fluid compositions comprising one or more structuring agents, and methods of making and using the same. Abst. REPRESENTATIVE CLAIM Claim 1 is representative of the claims on appeal and recites: 1. A fluid composition comprising: structuring agents of: a colloidal gum; a cellulosic polymer; an acrylate polymer; and optionally, a clay or fine particulate; and an orally acceptable aqueous carrier; wherein the total concentration of the structuring agents is from about 0.03% to about 2%, by weight, of the composition; wherein the composition is a mouthwash or mouthrinse, and wherein the composition has a Flow Rate Index from about 0.1 to about 0.85, a Consistency Index of from about 10 to about 2000 and a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio of 1 to 15; wherein the colloidal gum is selected from the group consisting of agar, agarose, albumin, algae colloid, alginates, alginic acid and salts thereof, amber, ammoniac, amylopectins, arabinans, arabinogalactan, arabinoxylans, asafetida, bdellium, carageenans, casein, chicle, collagen, copal, curdlan, dermatin Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 4 sulfate, dextrans, cross-linked dextrans, dextrin, emulsan, gelatin, fenugreek, frankincense, furcellarans, galactoglucomannans, galactomannans, gamboge, gellan, gellan gum, glucomannans, glycogens, guar, guar gum, hydroxypropylated guar gums, carboxymethyl guar gum, carboxymethyl(hydroxypropyl) guar gum, hydroxyethyl guar gum, gum arabic, gum elastic, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragancanth (tragacanthin), heparin, hyaluronic acid, India rubber, inulin, karaya gum, keratin sulfate, konjac flour, konjac mannan, labdanum, laminarans, laurdimoniurn, laxseed saccharide (acidic), levan, locust bean gum, myrrh, okra gum, pectic acids, pectin, polydextrose, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-28, protopectins, psyllium seed gum, pullulan, quince seed gum, sodium hyaluronate, raffinose, rhamsan, scleroglucan, sodium alginate, stachylose, starch from rice, corn, potato or wheat, tapioca starch, succinoglycan, tamarind seed gum, trant gum, water-soluble soybean polysaccharide, whelan, xanthan, xanthan gum, xylans, xyloglucans, and mixtures thereof; wherein the cellulosic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: cellulose; methyl cellulose; ethyl cellulose; propyl cellulose; butyl cellulose; carboxymethyl cellulose; carboxymethyl cellulose; carboxymethyl methyl cellulose; carboxyethyl ethyl cellulose; carboxyethyl methyl cellulose; carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose; hydroxyalkyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl cellulose; hydroxybutyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl ethyl cellulose; hydroxybutyl ethyl cellulose; hydroxyethylpropyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl propyl cellulose; hydroxybutyl propyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl butyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl butyl cellulose; hydroxybutyl butyl cellulose; hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose; steardimonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; cocodimonium hvdroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; nitrocellulose; sodium cellulose sulfate; chondroitin; chitin; chitosan; chitosan Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 5 pyrrolidone carboxylate; chitosan glycolate chitosan lactate or mixtures thereof; wherein the acrylate polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of acrylic acid, crosslinked with an allyl ether pentaerythritol, allyl ether of sucrose or allyl ether of propylene, polyvinyl methylether, and carboxyvinyl polymer; polyoxyethylene polymers; polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers; acrylic polymers, sodium polyacrylate, polyethyl acrylate and polyaclylamide; synthetic water-soluble polymers, polyethyleneimine, cationic polymers; semi-synthetic water- soluble polymers, silicone-modified pulllan; water-soluble inorganic polymers, bentonite, aluminum magnesium silicate, montmorillonite, beidellite, notronite, saponite, hectorite, silicic anhydride and mixtures thereof. App. Br. 14–15. Claim 2 depends from claim 1 and recites: 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of a colloidal gum is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; the amount of a cellulosic polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; and the amount of an acrylate polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight. Id. at 15. ISSUE AND ANALYSIS We adopt the Examiner’s reasoning, findings of fact, and conclusions that the appealed claims are obvious over the combined cited prior art. We address the arguments raised by Appellant below. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 6 A. Rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 over Cornelis and Stier Issue Appellant argues the Examiner erred because the combined cited prior art neither teaches nor suggests a composition comprising a specific combination of colloidal gum, a cellulosic polymer, and an acrylate polymer in amounts of 0.03–2% or having a Flow Rate Index from about 0.1 to about 0.85, a Consistency Index of from about 10 to about 2000, and a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio of 1 to 15, as recited in claim 1. App. Br. 6. Analysis The Examiner finds that Cornelis teaches a therapeutic composition comprising an aqueous solution of at least one polymer and at least one electrolyte in which the at least one polymer can be chosen for scleroglucan, guar gum, xanthan gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. Final Act. 4 (see Cornelis 2). The Examiner finds that Cornelis teaches that its therapeutic composition can serve as saliva substitution agent or artificial tear water, in a mouth rinse, or in a toothpaste. Id. (citing Cornelis Abstr.). The Examiner finds that Cornelis teaches that the polymer is preferably chosen from the group which consists of scleroglucan (in a concentration of about 0.001 % to 2% (w/v)), guar gum (about 0.001% to 5% (w/v)), xanthan gum (about 0.001% to 2% (w/v)), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (e.g., the type Blanose® 7HF (0.01 to 5% (w/v)), hydroxyethyl cellulose (e.g., Natrosol 250 HX Pharm (0.01 to 5% (w/v)) and polyacrylic acid (e.g., Carbopol 934P® and Carbopol 974P® (0.01 to 5% (w/v)). Id. at 5 (citing Cornelis 2). The Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 7 Examiner finds that these concentrations overlap the concentrations of the polymers recited in Appellant’s dependent claim 2. Id. at 6. The Examiner finds that Stier teaches an oral care composition such as mouth washes and mouth rinses, comprising diglycerol humectant, water, active compound, alcohol, sweetener, thickening agent, surfactant, suspending agents, astringent, toning drug extracts, flavor correctants, abrasives, whitening agent, antimicrobial agents, pH buffers, etc. Final Act. 6 (citing Stier Abstr.). The Examiner finds that Stier teaches xanthan gum, CMC, and Carbopol as thickening agents, diglycerol, glycerin, polyols such as sorbitol, or PEG as a humectant, active compounds including sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate. Id. (citing Stier ¶¶ 24, 29, claims 1, 3, 6). The Examiner finds that Stier further teaches that its mouth rinse composition comprises about 5 to 80% of water (e.g., 64.10%). Id. (citing Stier ¶¶ 70, 73, 76, claim 1). The Examiner concludes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the structuring agents of Cornelis with the teachings of Stier to produce the claimed invention. Final Act. 7. The Examiner reasons that a skilled artisan would have been motivated to combine the references because Cornelis teaches that at least one polymer, xanthan gum, guar gum, alginic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyacrylic acid are effective in an oral care composition, and that it would therefore have been obvious to combine these known components as, respectively, a colloidal polymer, cellulosic polymer and acrylate polymer to use in an oral composition. Id. The Examiner further concludes that the combination of the references would have nothing more than predictably Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 8 additive effects from the respective functions of the constituents. Id. (citing MPEP § 2143 (A)). Appellant points to our Decision on a prior appeal from this application (the “Prior Decision” filed July 12, 2018), in which we found that Cornelis is silent with respect to the rheological properties of compositions comprising a combination of a colloidal gum, a cellulosic polymer, and an acrylate polymer, and that prediction of the properties of such a combination must therefore be speculative. App. Br. 6 (citing Prior Dec. 14). Appellant also notes that we nevertheless concluded that, because the teachings of Cornelis directly suggest such a composition, the burden shifts to Appellant to show, via evidence of record, that the claimed rheological properties would not be inherent to such a composition. Id. Appellant argues that Cornelis is directed to therapeutic compositions for replacing and/or supplementing body fluids such as saliva and tears. App. Br. 6. According to Appellant, Cornelis teaches that the object of the invention is to provide a saliva substitute which approximates the properties of human saliva better than the known products, eliminates the dry sensation in mouth and eyes and needs to be applied less often. Id. (citing Cornelis 2). More specifically, argues Appellant, Cornelis teaches that the criterion for a rheologically adequate saliva imitation can preferably have a viscosity ηʹ between 1.5 and 3 mPa·s and an elasticity ηʹʹ between 0.1 and 1 mPa·s at 1.5 s-1. App. Br. 6 (citing Cornelis 7). Appellants assert that Cornelis teaches that this range reflects the visco-elasticity of complete human saliva and saliva from the different glands. Id. at 6–7. Appellant relies upon E.-A. Brujan, CAVITATION IN NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS WITH BIOMEDICAL AND BIOENGINEERING APPLICATIONS (2011) Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 9 (“Brujan”) as teaching that, the claim term Gʹ/Gʹʹ3 is equal to ηʹʹ/ηʹ. App. Br. 7 (citing Brujan 9). Appellant argues that Cornelis teaches that its composition has a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio similar to that of human saliva, about 0.03 (0.1/3) to about 0.67 (1/1.5). Id. Appellant asserts that this range does not overlap the claimed range of Gʹ/Gʹʹ of 1 to 15. Appellant points to Table 2 of Cornelis, arguing that it shows that complete, clarified human saliva has ηʹ of 2.1 and ηʹʹ of 0.77, therefore having a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio of 0.37. Id. Appellant contends that the rheological properties of both Cornelis’ composition and human saliva are significantly different from the rheological properties recited in claim 1. Id. Therefore, argues Appellant, the claimed rheological properties are not inherent to the compositions of Cornelis. Id. Appellant disputes the Examiner’s reasoning that argues that Cornelis is not limited to that specific criterion because it is only a preferred embodiment, and because consideration of a reference is not limited to the preferred embodiments, or to the working examples, but extends rather to the teachings of the entire disclosure, when viewed in light of the submitted knowledge in the art, to a person of ordinary skill. App. Br. 7 (citing Adv. Act. 2, December 27, 2018 (citing Merck & Co. v. Biocraft Labs., Inc., 874 F.2d 804, 807 (Fed. Cir. 1989)). Appellant responds that the object of Cornelis’ therapeutic composition is to provide a saliva substitute which approximates the properties of human saliva, whereas the object of the claimed composition is to maintain solids in suspension and provide good 3 Gʹ is the storage modulus and Gʹʹ is the loss modulus. See App. Br. 7 (citing Brujan 9). Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 10 mouth feel during and after use. Id. Appellant contends that there is no teaching or suggestion in Cornelis that would motivate one of skill in the art to modify its composition to a composition having rheological properties significantly different from those of saliva. Id. Appellant also disputes the Examiner’s finding that Table 2 of Cornelis teaches that “other embodiments … fall within the instantly claimed Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio. Here, scleroglucan at 0.1% concentration [ ] has a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio of 38.6/20.6 = 1.87 and within the instantly claimed range of 1– 10,” and that, depending on the concentration of gum, the Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio can vary. App. Br. 7 (quoting Adv. Act. 2). Appellant argues that Table 2 of Cornelis does not teach embodiments, rather, Table 2 compares rheological properties of several tested polysaccharides at 0.1% and a polymer-specific saliva simulating concentration with those of clarified complete human saliva. Id. at 8. According to Appellant, Table 2 of Cornelis shows that clarified complete human saliva has ηʹ of 2.1 and ηʹʹ of 0.77, whereas scleroglucan at 0.1% has ηʹ of 20.6 and ηʹʹ of 38.6. Id. Appellant contends that the ηʹ and ηʹʹ values of scleroglucan at a concentration of 0.1% are 9.8 times and 50 times higher, respectively, than those of complete human saliva. Id. Appellant asserts that it is therefore evident that rheological properties of 0.1% scleroglucan are not similar to those of human saliva. Cornelis explicitly teaches the criterion for a rheologically adequate saliva, which requires a ηʹ between 1.5 and 3.0 mPa·s and a ηʹʹ between 0.1 and 1.0 mPa·s at 1.5 s·1. Id. (citing Cornelis 7). Therefore, argues Appellant, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have understood that 0.1% Scleroglucan is not suitable as a saliva substitute. Id. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 11 Appellant summarizes that the composition recited in claim 1 requires a particular combination of ingredients with specific rheological parameters, and that Claim 2 further requires that the amount of a colloidal gum is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; the amount of a cellulosic polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; and the amount of an acrylate polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight. App. Br. 8. Appellant asserts that the Examiner has failed to provide any articulated reason why it would be obvious to modify the composition of Cornelis (allegedly a saliva substitute) to arrive at a composition having rheological properties which are significantly different from those of saliva as recited in claims 1 and 2. Id. at 9. We are not persuaded by Appellant’s arguments. As an initial matter, we do not agree with Appellant that the invention of Cornelis is directed solely to a saliva substitute. Cornelis expressly teaches that: The composition can further also contain calcium and/or at least one phosphate compound, as well as flavourings and/or aromatic substances and/or colourings and preservative. The invention further relates to saliva substitutes or additives, artificial tear water or tear additives, mouth rinses and toothpastes. The advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the example hereinbelow, which is however only intended as illustration and further implies no limitation whatever to the scope of the invention. Cornelis 2 (emphases added); see also Cornelis Abstr. We consequently find that Appellant interprets the scope of Cornelis too narrowly: in addition to “saliva substitutes,” the teachings of Cornelis are expressly directed to Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 12 artificial tears or tear additives, mouth rinses and toothpastes, similar to Appellant’s independent claim 1 recitation of “wherein the composition is a mouthwash or mouthrinse.” Consequently, we are not persuaded that the scope of the compositions taught by Cornelis is constrained by the rheological properties of saliva alone. More importantly, Appellant fails to adequately address our conclusion in the Prior Decision, in which we stated: Nevertheless, and as we have explained, the teachings of Cornelis would teach a person of ordinary skill in the art that the claimed composition of polymers could be successfully combined in a therapeutic oral composition. Furthermore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, seeking to achieve the desirable rheological properties for an oral therapeutic composition, would be able to optimize the rheological properties by combining the constituents in such a manner as to achieve them. See, e.g., Cornelis 1. Finally, because the teachings of Cornelis directly suggest such a composition, the burden shifts to Appellants to show, via evidence of record, that the claimed rheological properties would not be inherent to such a composition. This they have not done, and we consequently affirm the Examiner’s rejection of claim 1. Prior Dec. 14. The same reasoning applies in the appeal presently before us. Claim 2, which properly narrows the scope of claim 1, recites: (1) the amount of a colloidal gum is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; (2) the amount of a cellulosic polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight; and (3) the amount of an acrylate polymer is from about 0.01 to about 0.5%, by weight. The Examiner finds, and Appellant does not dispute, that Cornelis teaches concentrations of each of (1)–(3) that fall within the Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 13 recited range. See Cornelis 2. As our reviewing court has held: “In cases involving overlapping ranges, we and our predecessor court have consistently held that even a slight overlap in range establishes a prima facie case of obviousness.” In re Peterson, 315 F.3d 1325, 1329 (Fed. Cir. 2003). Furthermore, Where, as here, the claimed and prior art products are identical or substantially identical, or are produced by identical or substantially identical processes, the PTO can require an applicant to prove that the prior art products do not necessarily or inherently possess the characteristics of his claimed product…. Whether the rejection is based on “inherency” under 35 U.S.C. § 102, on “prima facie obviousness” under 35 U.S.C. § 103, jointly or alternatively, the burden of proof is the same, and its fairness is evidenced by the PTO’s inability to manufacture products or to obtain and compare prior art products. In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 1255 (C.C.P.A. 1977). In the appeal before us Appellant’s claimed ranges of colloidal gum, cellulose-based polymer, and acrylate polymer each overlap the ranges taught by Cornelis. See claims 1, 2. Appellant has not met the burden of demonstrating that the compositions thus within the scope of the teachings of Cornelis could not have the claimed rheological properties. Because Appellant has failed to meet this burden, we affirm the Examiner’s rejection of the claims. B. Rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 over Cornelis, Stier, and Shastry Appellant argues that there is no teaching or suggestion in Shastry of a composition comprising a specific combination of colloidal gum, a cellulosic polymer, and an acrylate polymer in an amount of 0.03–2%. App. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 14 Br. 9–10. Furthermore, argues Appellant, Shastry does not disclose or suggest a composition having a Flow Rate Index from about 0.1 to about 0.85, a Consistency Index of from about 10 to about 2000, and a Gʹ/Gʹʹ ratio of 1 to 15, as recited in claim 1. Id. at 10. However, we have explained our reasoning supra as to why the combination of Cornelis and Stier teach or suggests these limitations. Consequently, we are not persuaded by Appellant’s arguments, and we affirm the Examiner’s rejection upon this ground. C. Obviousness-type double patenting Appellant requests that, because the rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 over claims 1–4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13–15, and 17–25 of the ’381 application and over claims 1, 3–6, and 8–24 of the ’908 application are provisional4, the rejections be held in abeyance until such time as otherwise allowable subject matter is identified in the present application. App. Br. 12. However, because we affirm the Examiner’s rejection of the claims as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a), we similarly affirm the Examiner’s rejection upon this ground. DECISION The Examiner’s rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 as unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) is affirmed. 4 But see fn.2 supra. Appeal 2019-004779 Application 13/997,344 15 The Examiner’s rejection of claims 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, and 22–26 under the nonstatutory doctrine of obviousness-type double patenting is also affirmed. No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1)(iv). AFFIRMED Claims Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Reference(s)/Basis Affirmed Reversed 1, 2, 11– 15, 18, 19, 22–26 103(a) Cornelis Stier 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, 22– 26 1, 2, 11– 15, 18, 19, 22–26 103(a) Cornelis, Stier, Shastry 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, 22– 26 1, 2, 11– 15, 18, 19, 22–26 Obviousness- type double patenting US Ser. Nos. 13/997,381, 14/362,908 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, 22– 26 Overall Outcome 1, 2, 11–15, 18, 19, 22– 26 Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation